An application of social marketing for promoting HIV testing in Iran.

BACKGROUND: It has been estimated that 60,000 Iranians have been infected with HIV/AIDS and only 36% of them are aware of their status. This study aimed to design, implement and evaluate a social marketing campaign to promote HIV testing in Boyer-Ahmad County, Kohgiluyeh, and Boyer-Ahmad Province, southwest of Iran. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This study was a quasi-experimental pretest-posttest without a control group, developed based on a social marketing assessment and response tool. To design the intervention formative research was conducted, comprised of four focus group discussion sessions with 42 participants of the target community along with seven in-depth semi-structured personal interviews with health care providers involved in the HIV/AIDS Program. Data analysis was done manually using content analysis and the main content was formulated for the campaign. Afterward, the slogan and messages of the campaign were developed. The campaign's materials including banners, posters, pamphlets, referral forms, and short messages were designed, pretested, and revised. Ultimately, the campaign was conducted for one month in October 2019. To determine the effectiveness of the campaign, the rate of referrals to the Center for Behavioral Health Counseling Services (CBHCS), for three months before and after the campaign, was compared. RESULTS: Qualitative findings identified that the majority of the interviewees mentioned that the main reasons for the low rate of referrals to get tested for HIV were lack of awareness and information about HIV/AIDS and its diagnosis as well as the free and confidential tests available from the CBHCS. Moreover, the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS was another important reason for low referrals for testing. The rate of referrals for HIV testing in the three months leading up to the campaign was 18, 32, and 23 people, and three months after the campaign was 64, 81, and 44 individuals; respectively. The results of the multivariate analysis demonstrated that the campaign had increased the rates of referrals for HIV testing through its significant influence on females, and individuals with academic degrees. CONCLUSION: It can be concluded that the social marketing campaign was successful in persuading people to get tested for HIV.

The association between micronutrients and the SARS-CoV-2-specific antibodies in convalescent patients.

BACKGROUND: Various micronutrients play key roles in the immune responses to viral infection, antibody synthesis, and susceptibility to infection. This study aimed to investigate the role of micronutrients on the immune responses following SARS-CoV-2 infection. METHODS: To evaluate humoral immunity following SARS-CoV-2 infection, the levels of SARS-CoV-2-specific IgM and IgG, as well as the concentrations of different micronutrients, were determined in 36 convalescent COVID-19 patients 60 days after infection. Furthermore, the correlation between biochemical and hematological parameters, clinical features, and the changes in adiposity with SARS-CoV-2 antibodies was evaluated. RESULTS: Serum IgM and IgG antibodies were detected in 38.8% and 83.3% of recovered patients after 60 days of COVID-19 infection, respectively. The values of SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG were negatively correlated with the number of the platelet. Moreover, the values of SARS-CoV-2-specific IgM were positively correlated with LDH and the vitamin B12 concentration. Furthermore, a gender-specific association of SARS-CoV-2-specific IgG and IgM with vitamins D as well as with B9 and zinc was observed. A significant negative correlation was observed between the values of IgG with vitamin D in male participants and a positive correlation was detected between IgG values and B9 in female participants. Moreover, IgM levels with serum zinc values in females were negatively correlated. CONCLUSION: Our study suggests the potential role of micronutrients in gender-specific humoral immunity following SARS-CoV-2 infection. Further studies are required with a greater sample of subjects to substantiate the validity and robustness of our findings.

Evaluation of sperm chromatin/DNA integrity, morphology, and Catsper expression on diabetic C57BL/6 mice.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes is associated with reproductive impairment on the male reproductive system and causes complications such as decreased libido, fertility, spermatogenesis, sperm motility, and morphology. High levels of blood sugar may affect sperm quality and reduce the potential for male fertility. Increased levels of sperm DNA damage is often associated with reduced count and motility or abnormal morphology. METHODS: This experimental study was conducted in Mashhad University of Medical Sciences. In this work, 40 mice (C57BL/6) were divided randomly into 4 groups: 1) Control, 2) Diabetic, 3) Diabetic + Insulin, and 4) Sham. After 35 days, the right epididymis of all specimens was used for Real-Time PCR and left epididymis for evaluation of sperm parameters using Aniline blue, Toluidine blue, Papanicolaou, and immunohistochemical study. Also, testes were applied for immunohistochemical, TUNEL studies, and biochemical assay. RESULTS: Results of this study showed that chromatin integrity, morphology, cation channels of sperm (Catsper) expression, and biochemical factors level were significantly changed in diabetic mice in comparison to other groups (P<0.05) and treatment with insulin improved these parameters. CONCLUSION: Our findings showed that the sperm parameters such as DNA integrity, morphology, and Catsper expression change in diabetic mice.

The protective effect of co-administration of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and pentoxifylline (PTX) on cyclophosphamide-induced premature ovarian failure in mature and immature rats.

Cyclophosphamide (CP), as an antineoplastic agent, causes premature ovarian failure (POF) due to ovarian toxicity and subsequent infertility in women. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) has accumulated significant attention in regenerative medicine. Pentoxifylline (PTX) as a methylxanthine derivative has been shown to have antioxidant and antiapoptotic properties. The aim of this study was to evaluate the protective effect of PRP and PTX on CP-induced POF. Fifty mature and immature female rats were assigned into five groups: control, CP (75 mg/kg, intraperitoneal [ip] on days 1 and 10 to induce POF), CP + PRP (200 µl, ip, half an hour after CP injection on day 1 and 10), CP + PTX (50 mg/kg, orally, half an hour after CP injection daily for 21 day), and CP + PRP + PTX. At the end of experiments on day 21, measurement of body weight, ovarian parameters (ovarian volume, follicular granulosa cell layers diameter, oocyte diameter, and the number of granulosa cells), measurement of ovarian hormone in sera for estradiol (E2), and anti-Mullerian hormone (AMH), as well as biochemical assessment were performed.The results showed that CP significantly reduced the ovarian parameters, E2, AMH, superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and increased Malondialdehyde (MDA) levels compared to the control group (p < 0.001). Our results also indicated that all histomorphometric parameters and biochemical markers in CP-induced POF, were preserved close to normal by PRP and PTX treatments in both mature and immature rats (p < 0.001). Therefore, it is concluded that the co-administration of PRP and PTX can protect the ovary from CP-induced POF.

Diabetes up-regulated collagen IV and laminin α5 genes in mRNA and protein levels in seminiferous tubules of C57BL/6 adult mice.

Diabetes is a disease associated with impairment of the male reproductive system that causes complications such as decreased testosterone, the diameter of the seminiferous tubule, libido, and fertility. Extracellular matrix (ECM) molecules are involved in testicular development and spermatogenesis. Laminin and collagen are key proteins in seminiferous tubule basement membrane and play an important role in spermatogenesis. The present study was conducted to investigate the effect of diabetes on collagen IV and laminin α5 changes in mice testis. In this experimental study, 40 mice (C57BL/6) were divided randomly into 4 groups: 1) Control group: without intervention, 2) Diabetic group: treated mice with 50 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ), 3) Diabetic + Insulin group: treated mice with STZ and insulin, and 4) Sham group: received citrate buffer. After 35 days, the left testes of all specimens were used for Real-Time PCR while their right testes were applied for immunohistochemical study and Periodic acid-Schiff (PAS) staining. This study showed that gene expression and immunoreactivity of laminin α5 and collagen IV were significantly increased in diabetic mice compared to other groups (P<0.05). Also, PAS staining showed the thickness of seminiferous tubule basement membrane in the Diabetic group compared to other group increased significantly (p<0.05). In Diabetic + Insulin compared to Diabetic group, gene expression, the intensity of immunoreactivity and thickness of seminiferous tubule basement membrane decreased significantly (P<0.05). Our findings indicated that diabetes causes up-regulation of collagen IV and laminin α5 in mRNA and protein levels in the seminiferous tubule basement membrane and may cause disorder in spermatogenesis in mice.

Discrepancies of Notch 1 receptor during development of chronic seizures.

The critical role of Notch signaling has been shown in the pathogenesis of some neurological disorders including schizophrenia, epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease. This study was aimed to evaluate the role of Notch 1 receptor in epileptogenesis as well as seizure characteristics. The animals were divided into three groups of sham, early stage and end stage. In sham group: Normal saline was injected intraperitoneally (ip) in the same as protocol of pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) injection. PTZ was injected (ip) every 48 hr over a period of 1 week in the group of early stage and over a period of 4 weeks in the end stage. The gene expression as well as distribution of Notch 1 receptor was assessed in the parietal cortex and hippocampus. In addition, the effect of agonist or antagonist of Notch 1 receptor was assessed on the epileptic discharges induced by PTZ injection. The gene expression of Notch 1 decreased in the hippocampus significantly in the end-stage group compared with sham, and early groups. Furthermore, distribution of Notch 1 receptor increased in the somatosensory cortex and decreased in the CA1 hippocampal area in the end-stage group. Intraventricular microinjection of Notch 1 agonist significantly increased the amplitude as well as frequency of spikes and decreased the latency of first epileptic discharges. Our findings illustrate the critical role of Notch signalling as a potential pathway in the epileptogenesis during development of chronic seizures.

Cell injury and receptor expression in the epileptic human amygdala.

Neuropathological findings in the amygdala obtained from patients with mesial temporal lobe epilepsy (MTLE) indicate varying degrees of histopathological alterations, such as neuronal loss and gliosis. The mechanisms underlying cellular damage in the amygdala of patients with MTLE have not been fully elucidated. In the present study, we assess cellular damage, determine the receptor expression of major inhibitory and excitatory neurotransmitters, and evaluate the correlation between the expression of various receptors and cell damage in the basolateral complex and the centromedial areas in the amygdala specimens resected during brain surgery on 30 patients with medically intractable MTLE. Our data reveal an increased rate of cell damage and apoptosis as well as decreased expression levels of several GABAergic receptor subunits (GABAARα1, GABAARß3, and GABABR1) and GAD65 in the amygdalae obtained during epilepsy surgery compared to autopsy specimens. Analyses of the expression of glutamate excitatory receptor subunits (NR1, NR2B, mGluR1α, GluR1, and GluR2) reveal no significant differences between the epileptic amygdalae and autopsy control tissues. Furthermore, the increased occurrence of apoptotic cells in the amygdala is negatively correlated with the reduced expression of the studied GABAergic receptor subunits and GAD65 but is not correlated with the expression of excitatory receptors. The present data point to the importance of GABAergic neurotransmission in seizure-induced cell injury in the amygdala of patients with MTLE and suggest several GABA receptor subunits as potential druggable target structures to control epilepsy and its comorbid disorders, such as anxiety.

Prospective Epidemiological Research Studies in Iran (the PERSIAN Cohort Study): Rationale, Objectives, and Design.

Noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) account for 76% of deaths in Iran, and this number is on the rise, in parallel with global rates. Many risk factors associated with NCDs are preventable; however, it is first necessary to conduct observational studies to identify relevant risk factors and the most appropriate approach to controlling them. Iran is a multiethnic country; therefore, in 2014 the Ministry of Health and Medical Education launched a nationwide cohort study-Prospective Epidemiological Research Studies in Iran (PERSIAN)-in order to identify the most prevalent NCDs among Iran's ethnic groups and to investigate effective methods of prevention. The PERSIAN study consists of 4 population-based cohorts; the adult component (the PERSIAN Cohort Study), described in this article, is a prospective cohort study including 180,000 persons aged 35-70 years from 18 distinct areas of Iran. Upon joining the cohort, participants respond to interviewer-administered questionnaires. Blood, urine, hair, and nail samples are collected and stored. To ensure consistency, centrally purchased equipment is sent to all sites, and the same team trains all personnel. Routine visits and quality assurance/control measures are taken to ensure protocol adherence. Participants are followed for 15 years postenrollment. The PERSIAN study is currently in the enrollment phase; cohort profiles will soon emerge.

An alternative route for the synthesis of hydroxylated pillar[5]arene-based amphiphiles.

Conformational mobilities of the units and host-guest complexation with n-octyltrimethylammonium hexafluorophosphate of the synthesized perbenzylated pillar[5]arenes were studied. The formed complex was confirmed by proton nuclear magnetic resonance spectroscopy and mass spectral analysis. Hydroxylated pillar[5]arene-based amphiphiles were synthesized by a co-cyclization strategy followed by catalytic hydrogenation. This approach unlocks the synthesis and the design of a wide range of structural manipulations to these amphiphilic pillararenes.

Assessment of sperm morphology, chromatin integrity, and catSper genes expression in hypothyroid mice.

There is an evident relationship between the fertilizing capacity of sperm and the normal morphology, quality chromatin, and motility of sperm. It is well known that thyroid hormones are the important regulators of testicular function. A correlation was found between the hypothyroidism and sperm damages. The present study was conducted to investigate the effects of hypothyroidism on sperm morphology, chromatin quality, and motility. For this purpose, 20 male mice were divided into the control and the hypothyroid groups that received 0.05% 6-n-propyl-2-thiouracil (PTU) for 35 days. Sperm morphology with Papanicolaou staining and sperm chromatin quality with both Aniline Blue (AB) and Toluidine blue (TB) staining were assessed. Besides, immunohistochemistry and real-time PCR were performed to evaluate the changes of cation sperm channel (CatSper) genes. A significant increase in the sperm chromatin condensation was found in the hypothyroid mice compared to the control mice (p < 0.05). Furthermore, a significant decrease was observed in the morphology of normal sperm in hypothyroid mice compared to the controls (p < 0.05). The results showed that Hypothyroidism could downregulate the expression of CatSper genes. Immunohistochemical data confirmed the real time-PCR results. Furthermore, the results showed that hypothyroidism could adversely affect sperm morphology, sperm chromatin condensation, and CatSper gene expression in mice and these abnormalities may be related to the excessive production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in a hypothyroid state.

Constitutional Isomers of Pentahydroxy-Functionalized Pillar[5]arenes: Synthesis, Characterization, and Crystal Structures.

We herein report the preparation of constitutional isomers of pentahydroxy-functionalized pillar[5]arenes via the deprotection of their benzylated derivatives by catalytic hydrogenation. The structures of the obtained isomers were then established using single crystal X-ray diffraction. We also found that the yield distribution of the different constitutional isomers was dependent on the nature of the substitution, as revealed by HPLC analysis of the crude mixture. Finally, further characterization of the separated constitutional isomers indicated that they possess different melting points, NMR spectra, crystal structures, and stacking patterns in the solid state.

Beneficial effects of garlic on learning and memory deficits and brain tissue damages induced by lead exposure during juvenile rat growth is comparable to the effect of ascorbic acid.

OBJECTIVE: The neuroprotective effects of both garlic and ascorbic acid (AA) have been documented. In this study the effects of garlic and ascorbic acid on memory deficits and brain tissue oxidative damages induced by lead exposure was investigated. METHODS: The juvenile rats were divided and treated: (1) Control, (2) Lead (lead acetate in drinking water, 8 weeks), (3) Lead - Ascorbic Acid (Lead-AA), (4) Lead - Garlic (100 mg/kg, daily, gavage) (Lead-Gar). RESULTS: In Morris water maze (MWM), the escape latency and traveled path in the Lead group were significantly higher while, the time spent in the target quadrant (Q1) was lower than Control. Both Lead-Gar and Lead-AA groups spent more times in Q1than to lead group. There were no significant differences in swimming speed between the groups. In passive avoidance (PA) test, the time latency for entering the dark compartment by Lead group was lower than Control. Treatment of the animals by AA and garlic significantly increased the time latency. In Lead group, the total thiol concentration in brain tissues was significantly lower while, MDA was higher than Control. Treatment by both garlic and AA increased total thiol concentrations and decreased MDA. Both garlic and AA decreased the lead content of brain tissues. CONCLUSION: It is suggested that treatment with garlic attenuates the learning and memory impairments due to lead exposure during juvenile rat growth which is comparable to AA. The possible mechanism may be due to its protective effects against brain tissues oxidative damage as well the lowering effects of brain lead content.

Protective effects of ascorbic acid and garlic extract against lead-induced apoptosis in developing rat hippocampus.

Lead exposure has negative effects on developing nervous system and induces apoptosis in newly generated neurons. Natural antioxidants (i.e. Ascorbic acid and Garlic) might protect against lead-induced neuronal cell damage. The aim of the present study was to investigate the protective effects of Ascorbic acid and Garlic administration during pregnancy and lactation on lead-induced apoptosis in rat developing hippocampus. Timed pregnant Wistar rats were administrated with Lead (1500 ppm) via drinking water (Pb group) or lead plus Ascorbic acid (Pb + AA Group, 500 mg/kg, IP), or lead plus Garlic Extract (Pb + G Group, 1 ml garlic juice/100 g BW, via Gavage) from early gestation (GD 0) until postnatal day 50 (PN 50). At the end of experiments, the pups' brains were carefully dissected. To identify neuronal death, the brain sections were stained with TUNEL assay. Mean of blood and brain lead levels increased significantly in Pb group comparing to other studied groups (P < 0.01). There was significant reduction in blood and brain lead level in Pb + AA and Pb + G groups when compared to those of Pb group (P < 0.01). The mean number of TUNEL positive cells in the CA1, CA3, and DG was significantly lower in the groups treated by either Ascorbic acid or Garlic (P < 0.05). Administration of Ascorbic acid and Garlic during pregnancy and lactation protect against lead-induced neuronal cell apoptosis in the hippocampus of rat pups partially via the reduction of Pb concentration in the blood and in the brain.

Effective antidiabetic and antioxidant fractions of Otostegia persica extract and their constituents.

CONTEXT: Otostegia persica (Burm.) Boiss. (Lamiaceae), "Goldar" in Persian, is widely used in the folk medicine of south Iran for control of diabetes mellitus. OBJECTIVE: In the present study, hypoglycemic and antioxidant effects of different fractions of the O. persica extract were investigated and constituents of effective fractions were elucidated. MATERIALS AND METHOD: Different concentrations (100-400 mg/kg) of aqueous infusion (AI) of flowering aerial parts of the plant (traditional preparation) and all fractions of the O. persica extract (i.p. injection) were tested for antidiabetic activity in streptozocin-induced diabetic NMRI mice. Blood glucose level was measured at time 0 and intervals of 1, 2, 4, and 6 h later. Antioxidant activities of different fractions of the plant extract and pure compounds (0.1, 0.5, and 1 mg/ml) were determined with the DPPH method. Four compounds were isolated and identified from potent fractions. RESULTS AND DISCUSSION: Antidiabetic activity demonstrated that the effect of the methanol fraction at a dose of 300 mg/kg was equivalent with glibenclamide, and at a dose of 400 mg/kg was comparable with glibenclamide and insulin (p > 0.05). The EC50 of the methanol fraction was 307.12 mg. Methanol and ethyl acetate fractions showed antioxidant activities (both IC50 equal to 0.49 mg/ml), so these fractions were selected for the purification of compounds. Chrysoeriol from ethyl acetate and three apigenin derivatives (6-methylapigenin, apigenin-7-O-glucoside, and echinaticin) from the methanol fraction were isolated and identified (new for the species). Chrysoeriol exhibited potent antioxidant activity comparable with vitamin E and BHT (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: The present study confirmed the folklore usage of O. persica for antidiabetic properties.

Investigation of the neuroprotective effect of crocin against electromagnetic field-induced cerebellar damage in male Balb/c mice.

Objective: Mobile devices are sources of electromagnetic fields (EMFs) that cause increasing concern among scientists about human health, especially with the long-term use of mobile phones. With regard to this issue, the potential adverse health effects, particularly on brain function have raised public concern. There is considerable evidence that natural compounds have neuro-protective effects due to their antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties. Growing evidence suggests that crocin as a natural bioactive compound can be considered a potential therapeutic agent against various neurologic disorders. Therefore, the present study investigated the effects of crocin on the cerebellum after exposure to EMF. Materials and Methods: Twenty-four Male Balb/c mice were divided into control group, EMF group (2100 MHZ), EMF +Crocin group (2100 MHZ+50 mg/kg), and crocin group (50 mg/kg). The animals in the EMF and EMF+Crocin groups were exposed continuously for 30 days to an EMF 120 min/day. After 30 days, cerebellar cortex was evaluated by histomorphometric and immunohistochemical methods. Results: The results showed that 30 days of exposure to EMF had no significant effect on Purkinje cell size. However, EMF reduced significantly the diameter of astrocytes and increased Glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) expression compared to the controls (p<0.05). Our findings also indicated that crocin treatment could improve the diameter of astrocytes and normalize GFAP expression (p<0.05). Conclusion: This study concluded that 2100-MHz EMF caused adverse effects on the cerebellum through astrocyte damage and crocin could partially reverse the EMF-related adverse effects.

The effects of induced type I diabetes on developmental regulation of GDNF, NRTN, and NCAM proteins in the dentate gyrus of male rat offspring.

BACKGROUND: Maternal diabetes during pregnancy can affect the neurological development of offspring. Glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF), neurturin (NRTN), and neural cell adhesion molecules (NCAM) are three important proteins for brain development. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the impacts of the mentioned neurotrophic factors in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) of rat offspring born to diabetic mothers. METHODS: Wistar female rats were randomly allocated into diabetic (STZ-D) [(45 mg/kg BW, STZ (Streptozotocin), i.p)], diabetic + NPH insulin (STZ-INS) [(4-6 unit/kg/day SC)], and control groups. The animals in all groups were mated by non-diabetic male rats. Two weeks after birth, male pups from each group were sacrificed and then protein contents of GDNF, NRTN, and NCAM were evaluated using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: The study found that the expression of GDNF and NRTN in the hippocampus of diabetic rat offspring was significantly higher compared to the diabetic+ insulin and control groups, respectively (P < 0.01, P < 0.001). Additionally, the expression of NCAM was significantly higher in the diabetic group the diabetic+ insulin and control groups (P < 0.01, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The results of the study revealed that diabetes during pregnancy significantly impacts the distribution pattern of GDNF, NRTN, and NCAM in the hippocampus of rat neonates.

Protective effect of dental pulp stem cells' conditioned medium against cisplatin-induced testicular damage in rats.

Cisplatin is a highly effective chemotherapy drug used to treat most solid tumors. However, one of its side effects is testicular toxicity, which can lead to fertility abnormalities. This study investigated the effectiveness of dental pulp mesenchymal stem cells conditioned medium (DPSC-CM) on cisplatin-induced testicular toxicity. In this study, 36 eight-week-old male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups equally (n = 12). Group 1 control "CTR", which received normal saline (0.5 ml) intraperitoneally (i.p), group 2 "Cis" which received an intraperitoneal dose of cisplatin (7 mg/kg), and group 3 "Cis+CM" which received an i.p injection of DPSC-CM (0.5 mg/kg) after cisplatin injection. Biochemical, histomorphometric, and histopathological studies were performed on the testis. Our results exhibited that cis administration led to a decline in total body weight, testis weight, diameter, and volume. A decrease in testosterone and IL-6 serum levels, as well as a decrease in IL-6 and TNFα levels, the activity of catalase and SOD enzymes, and an increase in MDA in testicular tissue were detected. Testicular tissue damage was associated with a significant decrease in tube diameter, germinal epithelium height, number of spermatogonia and Sertoli cells, along with a noticeable increase in basement membrane thickness, and perivascular fibrosis. DMSC-CM improved all the mentioned parameters. Taken together, our results demonstrated that DMSC-CM due to its antioxidant and anti-inflammatory properties, could be effective in reversing cisplatin-induced testicular toxicity.

Clinical Correlation of Altered Molecular Signatures in Epileptic Human Hippocampus and Amygdala.

Widespread alterations in the expression of various genes could contribute to the pathogenesis of epilepsy. The expression levels of various genes, including major inhibitory and excitatory receptors, ion channels, cell type-specific markers, and excitatory amino acid transporters, were assessed and compared between the human epileptic hippocampus and amygdala, and findings from autopsy controls. Moreover, the potential correlation between molecular alterations in epileptic brain tissues and the clinical characteristics of patients undergoing epilepsy surgery was evaluated. Our findings revealed significant and complex changes in the expression of several key regulatory genes in both the hippocampus and amygdala of patients with intractable epilepsy. The expression changes in various genes differed considerably between the epileptic hippocampus and amygdala. Different correlation patterns were observed between changes in gene expression and clinical characteristics, depending on whether the patients were considered as a whole or were subdivided. Altered molecular signatures in different groups of epileptic patients, defined within a given category, could be viewed as diagnostic biomarkers. Distinct patterns of molecular changes that distinguish these groups from each other appear to be associated with epilepsy-specific functional consequences.

Spatially Designed Supramolecular Anion Receptors Based on Pillar[5]arene Scaffolds: Synthesis and Halide Anion Binding Properties.

Urea-functionalized anion receptors based on brominated functionalized pillar[5]arenes were prepared. The binding affinity toward halide anions was investigated and probed using 1H NMR titration and isothermal titration calorimetry (ITC). The complexation behavior was affected by the structure of the receptor and the nature of the anionic guest. The synthesized receptors are highly selective toward fluoride resulting in the formation of a 1:2 host-to-guest complex. The anion receptor based on the 1,3-alternate pillar[5]arene regioisomer shows the highest affinity toward fluorine anions. No significant interactions were observed with larger bromine anions. The formation of a self-assembled supramolecular polymer driven by hydrogen bonds in solution was demonstrated by diffusion-ordered spectroscopy (DOSY), ITC, and dynamic light scattering (DLS) measurements. From ITC dilution experiments, we found that the supramolecular polymer self-assembly at higher concentrations is a spontaneous process as indicated by the positive value of Gibbs free energy (ΔG = 12.04 kJ mol-1).

Crystal structure and supra-molecular features of a bis-urea-functionalized pillar[5]arene.

The crystal structure of a bis-urea derivative based on A1/A2-functionalized pillar[5]arene (DUP) that encapsulates dimethyl formamide (DMF) inside the macrocyclic cavity is reported. The crystal structure of DUP·DMF, C63H70N4O12·C3H7NO, reveals that out of two urea functionalized spacers, one arm is oriented above the macrocyclic cavity with strong hydrogen-bonding inter-actions between the urea H atoms and DMF guest, whereas, the other arm is positioned away from the macrocycle, leading to inter-molecular hydrogen-bonding inter-actions between the urea H atoms of two adjacent pillar[5]arene macrocycles, resulting in the formation of a supra-molecular dimer.